Storms close Northern Michigan Schools

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) --Many schools in this area closed early Thursday amid concerns about a snowstorm bearing down on Northern Michigan.

Big Rapids Public Schools was one of those who closed at noon.

"It's a crap shoot," said school transportation director Steve Hoffman. "You don't know if they're going to get better or if they're going to get worse, depending on what this weather does."

Late Thursday afternoon, Big Rapids had made no decision on whether to open Friday, but several school districts --including Morley-Stanwood, Chippewa Hills, Reed City and Evart --will be closed Friday.

Power outages also impacted about 2,600 customers of Consumers Energy in the Big Rapids area. Power was expected to be restored by midnight.